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Virginia E Papaioannou
Virginia E Papaioannou
Professor of Genetics & Development


Address: 701 West 168th Street Room 1402 New York NY 10032
Phone: 212-305-4753
Fax: 212-305-5484
E-mail:

 vep1@columbia.edu
Education and Training:
 Ph.D. 1972, University of Cambridge
Postdoctoral Fellow 1971-1974, University of Cambridge
Postdoctoral Fellow 1975-1979, University of Oxford
Research Scientist 1979-1980, University of Oxford
Assistant Professor 1981-1989, Tufts University
Associate Professor 1989-1993, Tufts University
Affiliations:
 bullet  Department of Genetics and Development
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Training Activities:
 bullet  Chair, Training Program in Genetics and Development
bullet  MD/PhD Program
bullet  Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biophysical Studies
Research Summary:
 (800 words, max)
 Genetic control of mammalian development from peri-implantation stages through organogenesis; determination of the role of T-box genes in development, using embryonic stem-cell technology and targeted mutagenesis.
Current Research:
 Our laboratory is interested in the genetic control of early mammalian development, from the first cleavage of the fertilized zygote through implantation, gastrulation, and early organogenesis. We use a variety of approaches to study the determination of cell lineages and the interactions of the developing embryo with the maternal environment, taking advantage of both naturally occurring and experimentally induced mutations. The major strength of the laboratory is the combination of classic experimental embryology techniques with molecular biology and targeted mutagenesis.
The major project in the laboratory is the study of a recently discovered family of transcription factor genes, the T-box gene family. These genes share a conserved DNA-binding motif first found in the Brachyury locus. The genes are highly conserved in evolution and have been implicated in the control of mesoderm formation and in inductive interactions in the organogenesis of organs such as mammary gland, heart, lung, and limbs. Several mutations in human T-box genes have been shown to be responsible for developmental birth defects and by using targeted mutagenesis, we have produced mouse models for the human DiGeorge syndrome (Tbx1) and the ulnar mammary syndrome (Tbx3). In addition, we are investigating the role of Tbx6 in somite specification and the decision between neural and mesodermal fates, and the roles of Tbx2, Tbx3, and Tbx4 in heart and limb development. Our interest is in understanding how these genes control cell fate and tissue specification decisions during early development.
Publications:
(6 max)
 1. Kelly RG, Papaioannou VE: (2007) Visualization of outflow tract development in the absence of Tbx1 using an FgF10 enhancer trap transgene.  Dev. Dyn  236(3): 821-828

2. Mommersteeg MT, Hoogaars WM, Prall OW, de Gier-de Vries C, Wiese C, Clout DE, Papaioannou VE, Brown NA, Harvey RP, Moorman AF, Christoffels VM: (2007) Molecular pathway for the localized formation of the sinoatrial node.  Circ. Res  100(3): 354-362

3. Naiche LA, Papaioannou VE: (2007) Tbx4 is not required for hindlimb identity or post-bud hindlimb outgrowth.  Development  134(1): 93-103

4. Harrelson Z, Papaioannou VE: (2006) Segmental expression of the T-box transcription factor, Tbx2, during early somitogenesis.  Dev. Dyn  235(11): 3080-3084

5. Passamaneck YJ, Di Gregorio A, Papaioannou VE, Hadjantonakis AK: (2006) Live imaging of fluorescent proteins in chordate embryos: from ascidians to mice.  Microsc Res Tech  69(3): 160-167

6. Naiche LA, Harrelson Z, Kelly R, Papaioannou VE: (2005) T-box genes in vertebrate development.  Ann Rev Genet  69(3)39: 219-239

URL for lab page:
  http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/genetics/faculties/Papaioannou/Lab/HTML-pages/home.html

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